Time to reflect on the 2008 MLB season

Now that the Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series, it’s no longer necessary to mention that they are the biggest surprise team in baseball in 2008. However, as the World Series is upon us now, let’s take a look back at the biggest other surprises, and busts, from this past season. I will also dole out my awards for the best individual performances.

Top Surprise Teams (Besides Rays)
- Minnesota Twins (88-74). The Twins were supposed to tank after dealing Johan Santana to the Mets for a very little haul and watching Torii Hunter depart in free agency. Instead, they battled the White Sox down to the very last day for the AL Central title, falling just short in a one-game playoff. Justin Morneau had an MVP-caliber year to help ignite an offense that on paper should still be one of the weaker ones in baseball. Their rotation, spearheaded by up-and-comers such as Scott Baker, kept them in many games, key because their bullpen still ranks as one of baseball’s best.
- Florida Marlins (84-77). Like the Twins, the Marlins greatly overachieved in a 2008 that was supposed to be a rebuilding year for them. Thanks to outstanding offensive years from the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla and great pitching from youngsters such as Ricky Nolasco, the Marlins were able to hang in despite a shaky bullpen and very little fan following. They ultimately came up short, but Fredi Gonzalez’s squad has paved the way for a breakout year in 2009.
- St. Louis Cardinals (86-76). The Cardinals used a patchwork starting rotation for virtually the entire year, yet Tony LaRussa’s team overcame that in addition to a two-week injury to all-world hitter Albert Pujols to stay in the hunt into September. The world champs of two years ago were also without the services of their ace Chris Carpenter for virtually the entire season, but utilized overachievers such as Todd Wellemeyer and Braden Looper to stay afloat.

Top Disappointments
- Detroit Tigers (74-88). Like many so-called “experts”, I had this team winning the World Series. Instead, they not only missed the playoffs, but finished in last place (behind even the Royals) in the suddenly weak AL Central. Their pitching was awful, especially their bullpen, while a lineup considered by many as the best in baseball never really got going on a consistent basis. By the time the dust cleared from a shocking 0-7 start, it was too late.
- Seattle Mariners (61-101). For some unknown reason, your truly had this awful club picked to win the AL West in 2008. Instead, they achieved the dubious feat of not having a single pitcher win 10 games. Starting pitching was a weak point in a surprising 2007 campaign, and the trade for Orioles ace Erik Bedard was supposed to fix that. Instead, Bedard pitched only 15 games for a team that lost a disgraceful 101 games.
- Arizona Diamondbacks (82-80). Yes, the Rockies could easily be on this list instead of the D-backs. My NL pick for the World Series, the D-backs showed that a great starting rotation can’t overcome a horrendous bullpen. With Brandon Lyon blowing saves left and right, many a great effort from Brandon Webb and Dan Haren were wasted. The offense never fully flourished, and instead of running away with a subpar NL West, Arizona ended up barely finishing over .500. The team that ended 2007 with the National League’s best record took a step backward in 2008.

Awards
- AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox. It pains me to give this to a Boston player, but Justin Morneau faltered greatly down the stretch for the Twins, and Carlos Quentin’s idiotic self-inflicted wrist injury cost him a chance for the award. Pedroia was the spark plug all year for a Red Sox lineup constantly enduring injuries. He hit .326, narrowly missing the batting title to Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, and tied Ichiro Suzuki for the league lead in hits with 213. Pedroia played in 157 games and also led the league with 118 runs scored.
- NL MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals. Perhaps missing two weeks due to injury only enhanced Pujols’ case as the NL’s top player. He still finished second in batting average (.357) and on-base percentage (.462) and fourth in homers (37) and RBIs (116). The Cardinals offense went as Pujols did, as he once again proved that no one in as feared and respected at the plate than he is. Chase Utley, Lance Berkman, Hanley Ramirez, and Ryan Howard all deserve consideration, but Pujols deserves the trophy.
- AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians. Lee will also easily grab Comeback Player of the Year, as he bounced back from an injury- and ineffectiveness-plagued 2007 campaign to post an astonishing 22-3 record and 2.54 ERA while earning the start for the American League in the All-Star Game. He almost single-handedly turned a forgettable season for the Indians into a late-season push to .500.
- NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants. I changed my mind about taking Brandon Webb, who won 22 games but faltered a bit down the stretch when his team was still in contention. Lincecum went 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA and a league-leading 265 strikeouts. His win and ERA totals were good for second in the league behind Webb and Johan Santana, respectively. Lincecum’s dominance prevented the Giants from being an utter laughingstock this year, as the baby-faced ace was perhaps the lone bright spot in yet another miserable season by the Bay.
- AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays. Even though he missed more than a month with a fractured wrist, Longoria was one of the main reasons the Rays went from worst to first in 2008. He led all major-league rookies with 27 home runs and all AL rookies with 85 RBIs for baseball’s best team and was outstanding defensively at third base. Chicago’s Alexei Ramirez should finish a close second, while Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury will also garner some votes.
- NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs. Soto appeared in 141 games for the National League’s best team, posting impressive numbers, especially for a backstop. He led all rookies with 86 RBIs while hitting a solid .285 and clubbing 23 homers. He was as valuable as anyone for the 97-win Cubs in 2008. Cincinnati’s Joey Votto also had an outstanding rookie season and deserves consideration.
- AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay Rays. This one is almost self-explanatory. The Rays remarkable turn-around and run to the top of the AL East standings was baseball’s best story in 2008. Maddon got the most out of a roster that, on paper, wasn’t anything dynamic. Seemingly every move he made turned out well, and his “9=8” slogan seemed to energize his team throughout the season.
- NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, Chicago Cubs. Yes, normally it would be hard to fathom Sweet Lou, manager of the talent-loaded, high-payroll Cubs, getting the nod. But in a year in which no other team took center stage quite like the Cubbies, Piniella deserves the award. He kept his team focused and competitive despite endless talk of the curse, and guided the Cubs to their most wins since 1945. Chicago was one of the most exciting teams to watch, and that’s no coincidence.